90mph gales and a deluge to soak UK

BRITAIN faces a barrage of fierce storms from today, bringing savage 90mph winds and three months’ worth of rain in just 48 hours.

The heavy and persistent storms could dump up to 10 inches of rain across vast swathes of the UK

The entire country has been put back on severe flood alert as forecasters warn that torrential downpours and destructive gales will last into next week and until Christmas. Worst hit will be the already floodravaged South and South-west.

And the heavy and persistent storms could dump up to 10 inches of rain across vast swathes of the country by the end of tomorrow.

The Environment Agency last night warned vulnerable households across the UK to prepare for flooding and advised people to stay away from swollen rivers.

We urge people to keep up to date with the weather forecast and remain prepared for flooding in their area by signing up to receive free flood warnings and staying away from dangerous flood water

Flood risk manager Craig Woolhouse

Flood risk manager Craig Woolhouse said: “We urge people to keep up to date with the weather forecast and remain prepared for flooding in their area by signing up to receive free flood warnings and staying away from dangerous flood water.”

He said Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight can expect the heaviest downpours.

Jonathan Powell, forecaster for Vantage Weather Services, said the battering is set to last until next week.

Rain will be heaviest in regions still recovering from last month’s deluge and will come with winds strong enough to damage buildings.

He said: “This storm system is hundreds of miles wide. We are looking at a succession of bands of torrential downpours and destructive winds across the whole country over the next few days.

“Wednesday and Thursday could bring up to five inches on each day with coastal gusts reaching 90mph – 70mph inland – certainly strong enough to cause structural damage.

“Flooding is going to be a real risk, and after a brief respite on Friday the weekend is likely to follow suit. It is a real nightmare run of bouts of severe weather.”

MeteoGroup forecaster John Lee warned Britain can expect a week of turbulent conditions as a series of wet weather systems tear in one after the other.

He said: “We’re looking at seven days ahead and in that time a succession of Atlantic systems are coming to the UK. Does that mean seven days of rain? No, but it is going to be mild and unsettled until Christmas.”

The Met Office’s chief forecaster Andy Page said: “An active frontal system is expected to move eastwards across the UK over the next couple of days bringing rain to all parts of Britain.

“The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings which means that the public should plan ahead to take account of possible travel delays or disruption to their activities.”

Netweather forecaster Paul Michaelwaite agreed, saying: “Into Thursday we have that heavy rain moving through. We also need to watch for some potentially very strong winds.”

Experts fear a repeat of the devastating floods across the country at the end of last month.

Then Britain endured 10 days of torrential rainfall, flooding homes and turning roads into rivers.

More than 1,000 properties were flooded in a week and the weather is thought to have contributed to five deaths.